See below and attached job announcement for Botany/Vegetation/Ecology positions being offered through DFG. Please distribute this to potential applicants and contacts you know regionally and locally.
BOTANY/VEGETATION/ECOLOGY POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT RESEARCH ASSISTANT VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION AND MAPPING PROGRAM CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME $15.00-$17.00 PER HOUR The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is seeking resumes for up to four seasonal, full-time Research Assistant positions in the Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program (VegCAMP) of the Biogeographic Data Branch. Up to two Lead Research Assistants and two Research Assistants will be hired, depending on qualifications and experience. Employment is contingent upon available funding for the project, which will be determined by the end of January 2010. The positions will be overseen by DFG staff located in downtown Sacramento, but will involve significant field work in the greater Carrizo Plain (San Luis Obispo County) during the months of March April, and May 2010. Two staff will continue work for an additional 4-8 weeks to enter and quality control field data and identify unknown plant specimens. Housing accommodations during the work week will likely be provided within the Carrizo Plain project area during the field season. All Research Assistants will perform a variety of duties related to the programs vegetation mapping and inventory project in the greater Carrizo Plain. Their primary tasks will be to assist in the collection of floristic and environmental data using standard vegetation sampling protocols; maintain and operate field equipment; and collect plant samples and prepare them for deposit at herbaria. Additional tasks may include entering vegetation data into existing databases; assisting with vegetation mapping using heads-up digitizing; and using spreadsheet, database, and word processing functions on computer systems. While the majority of field work will be in the Carrizo Plain, additional field work may occur elsewhere in California, including Western San Diego County. Qualifications: Knowledge of California flora and California plant communities; ecological field sampling methods; and use of GPS and other field equipment. Willing to travel and perform field work under a variety of conditions throughout California; to work irregular hours including weekends and holidays; and to do routine work in order to learn. Be organized, interested and have a cooperative attitude in field settings. Experience operating 4WD vehicles on rough roads desirable, but not required. MS Access database and ArcGIS experience desirable, but not required. Additional qualifications for Lead Research Assistants include strong background in California plant identification with coursework in plant taxonomy, botany, ecology, or other related courses; strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills; ability to lead assistants in the field while promoting safe working conditions, including navigating in remote terrain using a topographic map and compass; proven ability to work independently and interact well with crew members; ability to coordinate daily field tasks; manage data for field team, ensuring data are recorded and entered accurately and consistently. Additional Information: Must possess a valid California driver license, Class C. Send a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to: Steve Schoenig Biogeographic Data Branch 1807 13th Street Suite 202 Sacramento, CA 95811 [email protected] The closing deadline to receive applications is January 25, 2010.
